Summary
Confederate General Robert E. Lee marched 75,000 men north to invade Union territory in 1963. The Confederate soldiers were looking for supplies and wandered into Gettysburg on July 1st. A small Union cavalry met and fought the Confederates until thousands of Union reinforcements arrived later. Union General George Meade, did not arrive until nightfall. Meade led over 88,000 troops. The following day, Meade's and Lee's men fought over locations that bordered Gettysburg: Little Round Top (a hill), the Peach Orchard (grove of fruit trees), the Wheat Field (farmland), and Cemetery Hill (a rise near a burial ground). Each combat was so large that it was like a separate battle. On July 3rd, there was a battle at Culp's Hill in the morning. Lee ordered a division led by Major General George Pickett to attack the center of Meade's battle line. This attack is referred to as Pickett's Charge. Thousands of Confederates ran directly at Union cannons and rows of riflemen. A huge number of these Southerners were killed, wounded, or captured. As a result, Lee was defeated. He ordered his army to retreat south on July 4th. Lee's fight with Meade was the largest battle ever fought in North America.
History Channel Video - "The Battle of Gettysburg"
Summary
Confederate General Robert E. Lee marched 75,000 men north to invade Union territory in 1963. The Confederate soldiers were looking for supplies and wandered into Gettysburg on July 1st. A small Union cavalry met and fought the Confederates until thousands of Union reinforcements arrived later. Union General George Meade, did not arrive until nightfall. Meade led over 88,000 troops. The following day, Meade's and Lee's men fought over locations that bordered Gettysburg: Little Round Top (a hill), the Peach Orchard (grove of fruit trees), the Wheat Field (farmland), and Cemetery Hill (a rise near a burial ground). Each combat was so large that it was like a separate battle. On July 3rd, there was a battle at Culp's Hill in the morning. Lee ordered a division led by Major General George Pickett to attack the center of Meade's battle line. This attack is referred to as Pickett's Charge. Thousands of Confederates ran directly at Union cannons and rows of riflemen. A huge number of these Southerners were killed, wounded, or captured. As a result, Lee was defeated. He ordered his army to retreat south on July 4th. Lee's fight with Meade was the largest battle ever fought in North America.
History Channel Video - "The Battle of Gettysburg"
Source: http://www.history.com/flash/VideoPlayer.swf?vid=45198733001
Little Round Top
The Peach Orchard
The Wheat Field
Cemetery Hill
Pickett's Charge
History Channel Video: "Gettysburg Battle Strategy"